I THINK THEREFORE I AMSTERDAM

You can't be in Amsterdam for long without pondering the question: why can't other cities get it right like this? Okay, it's extremely beautiful before you've even done anything, wonderful tall slightly slanting historic houses lining canals, everywhere you turn. Not a bad start. But it's so QUIET. The ding of a bicycle bell from one of the 500,000 in the city as it trundles by; louder dings from the smooth and regular trams. But that's basically IT. In the centre of one of the world's great cities. I know, I know - but they had trams in LA too, you know, before an automotive cabal bought them up and closed them down. Big improvement. And the too-easily accepted, apparently inescapable car noise you get in London, or Bristol just - isn't there. Yes, there are busier parts, but they're busy the way a suburban high street can be. And those are only a few areas, and only some of the time.

To this already wondrous backdrop, add Mystery; this is after all the city where Tricky Theatre, a zany magic-restaurant-boat, is already visible as you step from Centraal Station. Rather though, add 'Myster', the gathering place of the modern Mages. It couldn't be more classic. It's right beside a large indoor shopping mall, though you'd never know it was there. It's fronted by a nondescript door and an almost invisible sign. Inside, there's nothing special about the cluttered entrance way. Go upstairs, though, and you enter an en-trance way. Big space, soft light, welcoming sofas, stage-style curtains, exotic decor, and more than anything else - an ineffable, tangible atmosphere. When the Magic Masterclass isn't visiting, Myster offers itself as a venue to other groups, and as an outlet for esoteric mind machines, pendulums and literature. If there's real magic, it's to be found there, in the very air. So where else would you expect to find Real Magicians?

England has Hogwarts, Germany Durmstrang, and Holland has... Myster. Netherlanders Stefanie (surely a Sprite?) and alchemist George are there in smiling attendance on - Chicago's Dumbledore, 'The Master' (but you can call him Eugene), possessor of the world's only authentic Magic Beard. Beside him, and deferring to him, always, is surely James Potter; very much alive and disguised as Jeff McBride. Who headlined in Las Vegas when in his twenties, and two decades later still remains, but now more for the magic of the surrounding desert, for the deep night and the firedances which flourish there. A wizard/sage and a sorcerer/shaman: the Faculty. Toto, I don't think we're in Card Trick land any more.

Only, even more bizarrely, we also ARE. Jeff shared late one night that "people come here to get their magic healed". Literally, of course: to learn better 'moves', improve their script, develop a character - and just to learn cool tricks. But also - though the Faculty never spell this out - metaphorically. Because some form of 'Magic' is what we all desire, and there's nary a one of us who escapes the need for Healing, before that encounter can take place. So students take away whatever they want; in every case, that includes a deeper respect and regard for their art, as well as a notebook's worth of invaluable practical advice. For those who look a bit deeper, there is unmistakably more. Maybe this is not something you can pin down, analyse or even name - but it is something which endures beyond all the act-polishing and note- taking. Something that you might want to call, well - Magic...

DOUBLE DUTCH

MAGIC MASTERCLASS
So just where does a Magician go, to learn Magic?I'm off tomorrow, to Amsterdam. Leave on Passover, come back after Easter Monday: significant? I rather think so, because once again I know I'll return with my passion for the Art of the Impossible 'Resurrected'. Yes, there are Magic Conventions - but then there is Masterclass. It's just - A whole new dimension. The place where the 'real' Secrets get passed on. Students there all share this passion for getting good, then getting better. The same passion STILL demonstrated, by our -resident mentors Jeff McBride (imagine a grown-up Puck) and Eugene Burger (Scary Santa), although they've both been in the field of wonder-working forever, so have far better excuses than us to feel jaded.So what happens? You do your Act (you bet it's scary!), you get instant - and incredibly insightful - feedback from the Great Ones, watch others do the same. And you improve by leaps and bounds, over the course of a long weekend. Anyone who goes home without a notebook full of profoundly workable wisdom, well; they're just not writing fast enough.THE MORAL OF THE STORY: These guys know what real Magic is about. And - surprise - turns out it's so NOT about 'the tricks'. Actually, it's about YOU. And I don't care how Disney that sounds, it's true: you are the magic: what people go to see, buy into, want more of. And what could be more fun, or more important, than learning to be YOU?..
posted by IAN C @ 6:15 AM

MOBILE MAGIC

This (relatively recent) blog of mine kind of illustrates where I am with New Technology in general: all in favour, if a little slow to catch on! Imagine my delight then, at being chosen by Bath University -in conjunction with its various commercial partners - for the 3-year Cityware research project. I'm one of a 'cohort' (academicspeak for 'bunch') of only 30 people, who will be trying out some sensational new mobile technology and innovative uses for it.
I was apparently an early front-runner just because what I do is unusual (I think they meant the magic..?). Always nice to be wanted. Up until now, my main interest in phone magic has related to a couple of effects I like to do actually over the phone - find a chosen card, that sort of thing.

Have to say though, some of the ideas being suggested and tested with this equipment, are truly magic to me - as in, sci-fi made real. Such as? Well, it's all hush-hush at the moment; so I COULD tell you... but then I'd have to have you killed. Best just watch this space and I promise to keep you up-to-date, as and when I'm allowed to! But trust me (I'm a Magician) - this stuff is seriously cool. Bluetooth? Schmuetooth.

New Scientist Breaking News - NASA develops 'mind-reading' system

New Scientist Breaking News - NASA develops 'mind-reading' system

Derren Brown may have been replaced. Remember Garry Kasparov? A Machine was never going to beat a human at chess, right Big Blue? Well, just take a look at what the NASA brainicacs have come up with. We may all soon be out of a job, as it precisely mirrors just the way DB says he picks up words. But then, he probably already knew that...

WHAT IS THE SECRET?

Hot off the press, just had an email tipoff about a unique web-based film event. Can't vouch for the movie contents because I haven't seen it yet! (After all, I'm too busy bringing this Breaking News to you good people As It Happens.) The promo blurb is reproduced below. But clearly it's one of those cosmic, meaning-of-life type things. Possibly comparable with 'What The Bleep Do We Know?' And possibly, like that, fascinating but not necessarily to be swallowed whole without chewing hard first and even spitting some bits out.

What's cool though is:

1. Its called "What is the Secret?" Now, as I'm a Magician, you will probably not need to be a Mind Reader to work out which phrase I tend to hear rather frequently. Yup, you got it, Uri. Be interesting to hear their answer for a change.

2. I don't even care too much about the content, because the access technology is just awesome. It's truly like watching DVD quality, but live over the internet. The trailer looks very impressive and loads pretty much instantly. Again, more details appear below. If you don't want to see the movie, just watch the trailer over and over and marvel at some REAL magic! How do they do that one? Now that's a secret I would truly love to have.

Here's the Big Sell:

"...This new film is called The Secret and it reveals The Secret known and used by every great man or woman in history. This Secret is behind all financial fortunes, all great inventions, all great organizations, all happiness, all inner peace--all great endeavors of any kind. We are extremely pleased and excited to announce that The Secret is to made its eagerly awaited international debut in a revolutionary world movie launch today, Thursday, March 23rd.The trailers as well as the full-length movie can be viewed on your computer. This is courtesy of VIVIDAS video technology which delivers the power of full screen, broadcast quality pictures and sound direct to your computer. For broadband users it will be just like switching on the TV - you just click and it plays - no downloading required. This technology is unique in the world and is being utilized by Disney, Dreamworks and Universal Studios for their movie trailers. Due to 3rd party contractual restrictions, users in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will not be able to watch the movie or purchase DVDs at this time. These countries can look forward to a movie release in a different medium."

MAGICIANS & ACTORS WHO PLAYED MAGICIANS IN MOVIES

About.com: http://www.magictricks.com/library/reel.htm

OK this is getting slightly nerdy now, but the estimable About.com have compiled a list, if you really want to know. Not many classics there, I'm bound to say, but maybe the odd goodie. The definitive Magician Movie has yet to be made. So, good news for Kev then...

KK MANIA! MAGIC ACT FOR A MAGIC ACTOR

Kevin Kline In 'The Great Buck Howard' Talks



Delighted to see the very wonderful Kev has been chosen for this role. There are many film stars out there who would, to use the vernacular, 'suck' as credible movie magicians. (I think we all know who we mean, don't we?) Whereas the splendid Mr Kline has shown his verve and versatility for many years now, in a range of parts ranging from the absurd Fish Called Wanda & Fierce Creatures to deeply realistic The Big Chill or Grand Canyon; and he gives more than 100% value every time.

Playing a magician seems like the next logical step, since whatever the character, KK always seems to bring to it both believability and a kind of impish, 'knowing-more-than-he's-telling' quality. What could be more perfect, for the part of a prestidigitator?

Less thrilled to see the movie also contains Colin Hanks, son of (yawn) Tom Hanks - who clearly also got the job purely on merit. Right?

This is a stretch, but hey - it's my blog. A final word on 'KK' then: it's also the initials of Wonder Wizard Kenton Knepper, who invented one of THE all time great tricks: koincidentally kalled 'Kolossal Killer'. But if you want to know what that's all about, you'll just have to book me.